Orthodontics and pediatric dentistry: Two specialties, one goal

The pediatric dentist is a unique dental clinician, as he or she is both a primary care dental health provider and a specialist. The pediatric dentist will most likely interface with orthodontist on a daily basis far more than any other dental clinician, for obvious reason that many pediatric dental patients will be under the care of both clinicians during the same and often extended time period. The pediatric dentist is often the first clinician to recognize malocclusions in the mixed dentition. The unilateral posterior crossbite is a commonly observed clinical finding in the mixed dentition. Posterior crossbites in the mixed or permanent dentition represent deviations from the normal buccolingual occlusal relationships. The congenitally missing lateral incisor either unilaterally or bilaterally presents a unique challenge to the orthodontic clinician in many respects. Retention of the corrected malocclusions of individual patients who will be receiving implants for missing anterior teeth needs to be coordinated as well.